The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-22
CONTRASTING FIGURES.

TnE ArPEAL, wei since the formation
OF the Taxing District Government, has
stood by the people in their determination
to keep tout Of the hands Of the element
that made u wreck Of the old city govern
mcnt-thc ward politicians. The non
partisan position it occupied in supporting
Porter, Burke, Overton, and their co-labor-
ers, II occupies today. II il a consistent
position, and TUE ArPRAL occupies it be-
cause it IL rs vitality essential now that
municipal affairs shall be kept out Of
politics w II was when the change in gov
eminent was made in 1870 that took the
city out Of the hands Of the ward politi-
clans. There is nothing political-no
politics il involved in the collection or
disbursement OF the money necessary TO
pave, police, clean. sewer or light the
streets Of Memphis. There il no question
Of principle save honesty underlying the
management Of u municipal corporation.
It is just like any other corporation,
the only difference being in the greater
amount Of responsibility and labor that de-
wolves upon the officers. Tho Taxing Dis
trict's alriir have been managed and con-
Quoted in that non partisan spirit, and the
,,r,,T l. I,l.,. a.. usnrll Ia tha ...,tts az
tanned in the past eight years. oontrastcd
with those Of the previous lity.two. These
results speak trumpet-tongucd TO the peo-
pie Of Memphis, and prove that they were
wise Ia making the change in government,
and that they are wise in maintaining il
upon u non.partisan basis. The contrast.
ing figures show that this WIS the almost
bankrupt Condition Of the Ciiy In
1879.
tity ''-.'"as
lricc OF bonds .......,..,,...,f zoe. q" the VI
Price ~ scrip ............-.."....a Ia soc.
Tax valuation, 1871 .,......r........." 81, 3os, i33.
Tax rate, M DO on 500.
Tax valuation. Is.s. last levy ..... siO. - I8g.
Tax rate, ls.S. ............. .............a .. ~ on
Paved strcuH ffoEt aud west side
of Main.
Paved alleys .........,.,.,... ,,,asA bout = Utics
Paved Wharf About one quarter
Of present pavement
There were also eleven or twelve mile. Of ro,ting
Nicholson pavement
LIST Interest paid about isTa.
Constrast these figures and facts. the
result Of lly-two years Of government by
Ioards OF Mayor and Aldermen, with the
following superb exhibit. the work Of
eight years.
Municipal Condition I'm 1857.
rcbt some small monthly
hills with merchants.
Bonded debt .........a.... .....s ", 100000.
trhis was caused by scttlc.
meut II old city government,
icbt About SHntOJ has been
rtipd by tho Reviewer and thu
Taxing District. leaving II a
above. Scmi annual Interest
paid r~gularly Money nov In
hank ior January INTEREST,"
TaN values, iSs1. ............. ... sit,oO7 $40.
Tax rate ..,..,..s, a......."-... 10 on 800.
"a ccuv Of which Is tor inter
cstl
raycd streets ....................... u MILES.
Paved alleys .. .,......,......, ..,..,,
Iaycd wharf About three
quarter ~ present pavement
sewers laid ..a.................- Abo"t VI mites
subabll drains laid .............A About 90 miles
Price Of bands ..................... ~ aud o.. no.
| .sHss.sssss..s-Hto ", tos.
rour now Ahrcns engines, replacing thrc worn
ont siishy engines.
No man who reads these figures can hes
italc for q moment ~ to non.partisan can
didaics Tor municipal oliocs. II the gov
eminent Of the Taxing District Is TO b
economically managed il must be manage
10y n non partisan government, 10y met
who will not make the performance q
their duty a means to political ends, or
stepping stone TO mount TO political plac
and prcicrmcnt.